diff --git a/mps/code/mps.h b/mps/code/mps.h
index 67d1f77738c..1eb0f230689 100644
--- a/mps/code/mps.h
+++ b/mps/code/mps.h
@@ -123,69 +123,67 @@ extern mps_arg_s mps_args_none[];
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_arena_size;
 #define MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE      (&_mps_key_arena_size)
-#define MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE_FIELD() size
+#define MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE_FIELD size
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_format;
 #define MPS_KEY_FORMAT          (&_mps_key_format)
-#define MPS_KEY_FORMAT_FIELD()    format
+#define MPS_KEY_FORMAT_FIELD    format
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_chain;
 #define MPS_KEY_CHAIN           (&_mps_key_chain)
-#define MPS_KEY_CHAIN_FIELD()     chain
+#define MPS_KEY_CHAIN_FIELD     chain
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_rank;
 #define MPS_KEY_RANK            (&_mps_key_rank)
-#define MPS_KEY_RANK_FIELD()      rank
+#define MPS_KEY_RANK_FIELD      rank
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_extend_by;
 #define MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY       (&_mps_key_extend_by)
-#define MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY_FIELD() size
+#define MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY_FIELD size
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_min_size;
 #define MPS_KEY_MIN_SIZE        (&_mps_key_min_size)
-#define MPS_KEY_MIN_SIZE_FIELD()  size
+#define MPS_KEY_MIN_SIZE_FIELD  size
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mean_size;
 #define MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE       (&_mps_key_mean_size)
-#define MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE_FIELD() size
+#define MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE_FIELD size
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_max_size;
 #define MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE        (&_mps_key_max_size)
-#define MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE_FIELD()  size
+#define MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE_FIELD  size
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_align;
 #define MPS_KEY_ALIGN           (&_mps_key_align)
-#define MPS_KEY_ALIGN_FIELD()     align
+#define MPS_KEY_ALIGN_FIELD     align
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_vmw3_top_down;
 #define MPS_KEY_VMW3_TOP_DOWN   (&_mps_key_vmw3_top_down)
-#define MPS_KEY_VMW3_TOP_DOWN_FIELD() b
+#define MPS_KEY_VMW3_TOP_DOWN_FIELD b
 
 /* Maximum length of a keyword argument list. */
 #define MPS_ARGS_MAX          32
 
 #define MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(_var) \
-  BEGIN \
+  MPS_BEGIN \
       mps_arg_s _var[MPS_ARGS_MAX]; \
       unsigned _var##_i = 0; \
-      BEGIN
+      MPS_BEGIN
 
 #define MPS_ARGS_ADD_FIELD(_var, _key, _field, _val)  \
-  BEGIN \
-    AVER(_var##_i < MPS_ARGS_MAX); \
+  MPS_BEGIN \
+    /* TODO: AVER(_var##_i < MPS_ARGS_MAX); */ \
     _var[_var##_i].key = (_key); \
     _var[_var##_i].val._field = (_val); \
     ++_var##_i; \
-  END
+  MPS_END
 
 #define MPS_ARGS_ADD(_var, _key, _val) \
-  MPS_ARGS_ADD_FIELD(_var, _key, _key##_FIELD(), _val)
+  MPS_ARGS_ADD_FIELD(_var, _key, _key##_FIELD, _val)
 
 #define MPS_ARGS_DONE(_var) \
-  BEGIN \
-    AVER(_var##_i < MPS_ARGS_MAX); \
+  MPS_BEGIN \
+    /* TODO: AVER(_var##_i < MPS_ARGS_MAX); */ \
     _var[_var##_i].key = MPS_KEY_ARGS_END; \
-    _var##_i = MPS_ARGS_MAX; \
-  END
+    /* TODO: _var##_i = MPS_ARGS_MAX; */ \
+  MPS_END
 
 #define MPS_ARGS_END(_var) \
-    END; \
-  END
-
-#define MPS_ARG(_key, _val) ((mps_arg_s){(_key), {._key##_FIELD() = (_val)}})
+    MPS_END; \
+  MPS_END
 
 
 /* <a id="message.types"> Keep in sync with
diff --git a/mps/code/mpsacl.h b/mps/code/mpsacl.h
index 9f8ea3f6362..b9fc2913f63 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpsacl.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpsacl.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 /* Client arena base address argument */
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_arena_cl_addr;
 #define MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE (&_mps_key_arena_cl_addr)
-#define MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE_FIELD() addr
+#define MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE_FIELD addr
 
 extern mps_arena_class_t mps_arena_class_cl(void);
 
diff --git a/mps/code/mpscams.h b/mps/code/mpscams.h
index f410c2734dd..5c1cc1b6f8f 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpscams.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpscams.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_ams_support_ambiguous;
 #define MPS_KEY_AMS_SUPPORT_AMBIGUOUS (&_mps_key_ams_support_ambiguous)
-#define MPS_KEY_AMS_SUPPORT_AMBIGUOUS_FIELD() b
+#define MPS_KEY_AMS_SUPPORT_AMBIGUOUS_FIELD b
 
 extern mps_class_t mps_class_ams(void);
 extern mps_class_t mps_class_ams_debug(void);
diff --git a/mps/code/mpscawl.h b/mps/code/mpscawl.h
index 5271560b11f..4c0af1fb17e 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpscawl.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpscawl.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_awl_find_dependent;
 #define MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT (&_mps_key_awl_find_dependent)
-#define MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT_FIELD() addr_method
+#define MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT_FIELD addr_method
 
 extern mps_class_t mps_class_awl(void);
 
diff --git a/mps/code/mpscmfs.h b/mps/code/mpscmfs.h
index 87f6e108424..cc0a411260b 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpscmfs.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpscmfs.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mfs_unit_size;
 #define MPS_KEY_MFS_UNIT_SIZE (&_mps_key_mfs_unit_size)
-#define MPS_KEY_MFS_UNIT_SIZE_FIELD() size
+#define MPS_KEY_MFS_UNIT_SIZE_FIELD size
 
 extern mps_class_t mps_class_mfs(void);
 
diff --git a/mps/code/mpscmvff.h b/mps/code/mpscmvff.h
index 09164872b76..f8bc97b7f3b 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpscmvff.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpscmvff.h
@@ -11,13 +11,13 @@
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mvff_slot_high;
 #define MPS_KEY_MVFF_SLOT_HIGH (&_mps_key_mvff_slot_high)
-#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_SLOT_HIGH_FIELD() b
+#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_SLOT_HIGH_FIELD b
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mvff_arena_high;
 #define MPS_KEY_MVFF_ARENA_HIGH (&_mps_key_mvff_arena_high)
-#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_ARENA_HIGH_FIELD() b
+#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_ARENA_HIGH_FIELD b
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mvff_first_fit;
 #define MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT (&_mps_key_mvff_first_fit)
-#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT_FIELD() b
+#define MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT_FIELD b
 
 extern size_t mps_mvff_free_size(mps_pool_t mps_pool);
 extern size_t mps_mvff_size(mps_pool_t mps_pool);
diff --git a/mps/code/mpscmvt.h b/mps/code/mpscmvt.h
index 2237639310b..5a1e5eb6ad5 100644
--- a/mps/code/mpscmvt.h
+++ b/mps/code/mpscmvt.h
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@
 
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mvt_reserve_depth;
 #define MPS_KEY_MVT_RESERVE_DEPTH (&_mps_key_mvt_reserve_depth)
-#define MPS_KEY_MVT_RESERVE_DEPTH_FIELD() count
+#define MPS_KEY_MVT_RESERVE_DEPTH_FIELD count
 extern const struct mps_key_s _mps_key_mvt_frag_limit;
 #define MPS_KEY_MVT_FRAG_LIMIT (&_mps_key_mvt_frag_limit)
-#define MPS_KEY_MVT_FRAG_LIMIT_FIELD() count
+#define MPS_KEY_MVT_FRAG_LIMIT_FIELD count
 
 /* The mvt pool class has five extra parameters to mps_pool_create:
  *  mps_res_t mps_pool_create(mps_pool_t * pool, mps_arena_t arena,
diff --git a/mps/example/scheme/Makefile.in b/mps/example/scheme/Makefile.in
index aca3a682bab..73b5e8094fc 100644
--- a/mps/example/scheme/Makefile.in
+++ b/mps/example/scheme/Makefile.in
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # $Id$
 
 # -fno-inline-functions is a temporary workaround for job003359.
-CFLAGS = @CFLAGS@ @CPPFLAGS@ @LDFLAGS@ -std=c99 -fno-inline-functions
+CFLAGS = @CFLAGS@ @CPPFLAGS@ @LDFLAGS@ -std=c89 -fno-inline-functions
 
 MPS = ../../code
 
diff --git a/mps/example/scheme/scheme-advanced.c b/mps/example/scheme/scheme-advanced.c
index a006f156de8..2e77ca05c51 100644
--- a/mps/example/scheme/scheme-advanced.c
+++ b/mps/example/scheme/scheme-advanced.c
@@ -4470,9 +4470,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   
   /* Create an MPS arena.  There is usually only one of these in a process.
      It holds all the MPS "global" state and is where everything happens. */
-  res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(), 
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(),  args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create arena");
 
   /* Create the object format. */
@@ -4488,10 +4490,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   /* Create an Automatic Mostly-Copying (AMC) pool to manage the Scheme
      objects.  This is a kind of copying garbage collector. */
-  res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(),
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain),
-                       MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain);
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(), args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create obj pool");
 
   /* Create an allocation point for fast in-line allocation of objects
@@ -4503,10 +4507,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   /* Create an Automatic Mostly-Copying Zero-rank (AMCZ) pool to
      manage the leaf objects. */
-  res = mps_pool_create_k(&leaf_pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(),
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain),
-                       MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain);
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_pool_create_k(&leaf_pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(), args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create leaf pool");
 
   /* Create allocation point for leaf objects. */
@@ -4519,21 +4525,26 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   /* Create an Automatic Weak Linked (AWL) pool to manage the hash table
      buckets. */
-  res = mps_pool_create_k(&buckets_pool, arena, mps_class_awl(),
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, buckets_fmt),
-                       MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT,
-                               buckets_find_dependent),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, buckets_fmt);
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT, buckets_find_dependent);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_pool_create_k(&buckets_pool, arena, mps_class_awl(), args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create buckets pool");
 
   /* Create allocation points for weak and strong buckets. */
-  res = mps_ap_create_k(&strong_buckets_ap, buckets_pool,
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact()),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact());
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_ap_create_k(&strong_buckets_ap, buckets_pool, args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create strong buckets allocation point");
-  res = mps_ap_create_k(&weak_buckets_ap, buckets_pool,
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak()),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak());
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_ap_create_k(&weak_buckets_ap, buckets_pool, args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create weak buckets allocation point");
 
   /* Register the current thread with the MPS.  The MPS must sometimes
diff --git a/mps/example/scheme/scheme.c b/mps/example/scheme/scheme.c
index 527d946b9e8..c6f68573467 100644
--- a/mps/example/scheme/scheme.c
+++ b/mps/example/scheme/scheme.c
@@ -4391,9 +4391,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   
   /* Create an MPS arena.  There is usually only one of these in a process.
      It holds all the MPS "global" state and is where everything happens. */
-  res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(), 
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(), args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create arena");
 
   /* Create the object format. */
@@ -4409,10 +4411,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   /* Create an Automatic Mostly-Copying (AMC) pool to manage the Scheme
      objects.  This is a kind of copying garbage collector. */
-  res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(),
-         (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain),
-                       MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                       {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+  MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain);
+    MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+    MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+    res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(), args);
+  } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
   if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create obj pool");
 
   /* Create an allocation point for fast in-line allocation of objects
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/glossary/k.rst b/mps/manual/source/glossary/k.rst
index b08edafb470..4033cce5fd5 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/glossary/k.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/glossary/k.rst
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ Memory Management Glossary: K
 
     keyword argument
 
-        An optional argument to a function call, identified by an
-        associated keyword.
+        A argument to a function call that's identified by an
+        associated keyword rather than by its position in the argument
+        list.
 
         .. mps:specific::
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/guide/advanced.rst b/mps/manual/source/guide/advanced.rst
index 7ef3a7bea3d..a6604daf573 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/guide/advanced.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/guide/advanced.rst
@@ -712,21 +712,26 @@ Finally, we can create the buckets pool and its allocation points::
 
     /* Create an Automatic Weak Linked (AWL) pool to manage the hash table
        buckets. */
-    res = mps_pool_create_k(&buckets_pool, arena, mps_class_awl(),
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, buckets_fmt),
-                         {MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT,
-                             .val.addr_method = buckets_find_dependent},
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, buckets_fmt);
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT, buckets_find_dependent);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_pool_create_k(&buckets_pool, arena, mps_class_awl(), args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create buckets pool");
 
     /* Create allocation points for weak and strong buckets. */
-    res = mps_ap_create_k(&strong_buckets_ap, buckets_pool,
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact()),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact());
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_ap_create_k(&strong_buckets_ap, buckets_pool, args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create strong buckets allocation point");
-    res = mps_ap_create_k(&weak_buckets_ap, buckets_pool,
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak()),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak());
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_ap_create_k(&weak_buckets_ap, buckets_pool, args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create weak buckets allocation point");
 
 By adding the line::
@@ -892,10 +897,12 @@ Second, the leaf objects must be allocated on ``leaf_ap`` instead of
 
     /* Create an Automatic Mostly-Copying Zero-rank (AMCZ) pool to
        manage the leaf objects. */
-    res = mps_pool_create_k(&leaf_pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(),
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain),
-                         MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain);
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_pool_create_k(&leaf_pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(), args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create leaf pool");
 
     /* Create allocation point for leaf objects. */
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/guide/lang.rst b/mps/manual/source/guide/lang.rst
index d6d8943cabc..bd01c550218 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/guide/lang.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/guide/lang.rst
@@ -175,9 +175,11 @@ times larger than your peak memory usage.
 Let's reserve 32 megabytes::
 
     mps_res_t res;
-    res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(), 
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 32 * 1024 * 1024);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_vm(), args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create arena");
 
 :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` is typical of functions in the MPS
@@ -770,10 +772,12 @@ Third, the :term:`generation chain`::
 And finally the :term:`pool`::
 
     mps_pool_t obj_pool;
-    res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(),
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain),
-                         MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, obj_chain);
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, mps_class_amc(), args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create obj pool");
 
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/amc.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/amc.rst
index 376f22752cd..51216853823 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/amc.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/amc.rst
@@ -112,12 +112,14 @@ AMC interface
     * :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_CHAIN` (type :c:type:`mps_chain_t`) specifies
       the :term:`generation chain` for the pool.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_amc(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_amc(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/amcz.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/amcz.rst
index d2cac80ca1e..45444e07404 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/amcz.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/amcz.rst
@@ -71,12 +71,14 @@ AMCZ interface
     * :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_CHAIN` (type :c:type:`mps_chain_t`) specifies
       the :term:`generation chain` for the pool.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_amcz(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/ams.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/ams.rst
index 523ac6d5d2e..95b718dd9e6 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/ams.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/ams.rst
@@ -115,12 +115,14 @@ AMS interface
       the :term:`generation chain` for the pool. It must have a single
       generation.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_ams(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, chain);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_ams(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/awl.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/awl.rst
index a5379c321f1..7ee92cec48f 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/awl.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/awl.rst
@@ -331,12 +331,14 @@ AWL interface
       how to find the :term:`dependent object` for an object in the
       pool.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_awl(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT, find_dependent),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_AWL_FIND_DEPENDENT, find_dependent);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_awl(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
@@ -358,11 +360,13 @@ AWL interface
       :term:`exact references`), or :c:func:`mps_rank_weak` (if the
       objects will contain :term:`weak references (1)`).
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_ap_create_k(&ap, awl_pool,
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak()),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_weak());
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_ap_create_k(&ap, awl_pool, args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/lo.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/lo.rst
index f826d26b292..19609cc68cb 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/lo.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/lo.rst
@@ -112,11 +112,13 @@ LO interface
       the :term:`object format` for the objects allocated in the pool.
       The format must provide a :term:`skip method`.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_lo(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_lo(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/mfs.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/mfs.rst
index d6aa1273907..7fe549058cf 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/mfs.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/mfs.rst
@@ -91,12 +91,14 @@ MFS interface
       argument. If this is not a multiple of the unit size, there will
       be wasted space in each segment.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mfs(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MFS_UNIT_SIZE, 1024),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MFS_UNIT_SIZE, 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mfs(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/mv.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/mv.rst
index 815534e7934..e71153d5c75 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/mv.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/mv.rst
@@ -90,13 +90,15 @@ MV interface
     The mean and maximum sizes are *hints* to the MPS: the pool will be
     less efficient if these are wrong, but nothing will break.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mfs(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE, 1024),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE, 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mfs(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/mvff.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/mvff.rst
index bca01de026f..d116cf72bc0 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/mvff.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/mvff.rst
@@ -143,16 +143,18 @@ MVFF interface
     * :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT` (type :c:type:`mps_bool_t`) is
       undocumented and must be set to true.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mvff(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ALIGN, 8),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MVFF_ARENA_HIGH, 0),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MVFF_SLOT_HIGH, 0),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT, 1),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_EXTEND_BY, 1024 * 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_ALIGN, 8);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MVFF_ARENA_HIGH, 0);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MVFF_SLOT_HIGH, 0);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MVFF_FIRST_FIT, 1);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mvff(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/mvt.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/mvt.rst
index 2fa90a802c8..31fe3044b25 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/mvt.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/mvt.rst
@@ -178,15 +178,17 @@ MVT interface
       intermediate setting can be used to limit the space-inefficiency
       of temporal fit due to varying object life expectancies.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mvt(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MIN_SIZE, 4),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE, 1024),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MVT_RESERVE_DEPTH, 256),
-                             MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_MVT_FRAG_LIMIT, 50),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MIN_SIZE, 4);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MEAN_SIZE, 32);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MAX_SIZE, 1024);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MVT_RESERVE_DEPTH, 256);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(ARGS, MPS_KEY_MVT_FRAG_LIMIT, 50);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_mvt(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/pool/snc.rst b/mps/manual/source/pool/snc.rst
index 805beb0e892..dad0020e59e 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/pool/snc.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/pool/snc.rst
@@ -103,11 +103,13 @@ SNC introspection
       The format must provide a :term:`scan method`, a :term:`skip
       method`, and a :term:`padding method`.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_snc(),
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, fmt);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_snc(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
@@ -125,11 +127,13 @@ SNC introspection
       the :term:`rank` of references in objects allocated on this
       allocation point. It must be :c:func:`mps_rank_exact`.
 
-    For example, in :term:`C99`::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_ap_create_k(&ap, awl_pool,
-               (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact()),
-                             {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_RANK, mps_rank_exact());
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_ap_create_k(&ap, awl_pool, args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/topic/arena.rst b/mps/manual/source/topic/arena.rst
index 670583b9876..69e185ff4d8 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/topic/arena.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/topic/arena.rst
@@ -165,12 +165,14 @@ Client arenas
     * :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE` (type :c:type:`size_t`) is its
       size.
 
-    For example (in :term:`C99`)::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(),
-            (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE, base),
-                          MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size),
-                          {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE, base);
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     If the chunk is too small to hold the internal arena structures,
     :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` returns :c:macro:`MPS_RES_MEMORY`. In
@@ -275,11 +277,13 @@ Virtual memory arenas
     :c:macro:`MPS_RES_MEMORY`. Either ``size`` was far too small or
     the operating system refused to provide enough memory.
 
-    For example (in :term:`C99`)::
+    For example::
 
-        res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(),
-            (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size),
-                          {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+        MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+            MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size);
+            MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+            res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(), args);
+        } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
 
     .. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/topic/debugging.rst b/mps/manual/source/topic/debugging.rst
index c7c372e3b2b..94b54b36b03 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/topic/debugging.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/topic/debugging.rst
@@ -71,11 +71,13 @@ For example::
     };
     mps_pool_t pool;
     mps_res_t res;
-    res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_ams_debug(),
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_POOL_DEBUG_OPTIONS, &debug_options),
-                         MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, &fmt),
-                         MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_CHAIN, &chain),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_POOL_DEBUG_OPTIONS, &debug_options);
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, &fmt);
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_CHAIN, &chain);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_pool_create_k(&pool, arena, mps_class_ams_debug(), args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("can't create debug pool");
 
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/topic/format.rst b/mps/manual/source/topic/format.rst
index fd91f19e823..1d8f281318c 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/topic/format.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/topic/format.rst
@@ -92,9 +92,11 @@ For example::
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create obj format");
     /* obj_fmt created successfully */
 
-    res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, pool_class,
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
+    MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
+        MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_FORMAT, obj_fmt);
+        MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
+        res = mps_pool_create_k(&obj_pool, arena, pool_class, args);
+    } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
     if (res != MPS_RES_OK) error("Couldn't create obj pool");
 
 
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/topic/keyword.rst b/mps/manual/source/topic/keyword.rst
index e809449cee9..c3971516f2e 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/topic/keyword.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/topic/keyword.rst
@@ -35,16 +35,6 @@ help with forming keyword argument lists::
         MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
         res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(), args);
     } MPS_ARGS_END(args);
-    
-But if you are writing :term:`C99`, you can write this more concisely
-using the helper macro :c:func:`MPS_ARG`::
-
-    mps_res_t res;
-    mps_arena_t arena;
-    res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(),
-           (mps_arg_s[]){MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, 6553600),
-                         MPS_ARG(MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE, base_address),
-                         {MPS_KEY_ARGS_END}});
 
 The argument array must not be ``NULL``, and must end with
 :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARGS_END`.  If you don't want to pass any arguments, you can
diff --git a/mps/manual/source/topic/pool.rst b/mps/manual/source/topic/pool.rst
index ad748310a22..2c7766b6356 100644
--- a/mps/manual/source/topic/pool.rst
+++ b/mps/manual/source/topic/pool.rst
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ making it available for allocation.
     :c:func:`mps_alloc` or via an :term:`allocation point`.
 
 
-.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_pool_create(mps_pool_t *pool_o, mps_arena_t arena, mps_class_t class, mps_arg_s args[])
+.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_pool_create_k(mps_pool_t *pool_o, mps_arena_t arena, mps_class_t class, mps_arg_s args[])
 
     Create a :term:`pool` in an :term:`arena`.